Norwich — Norwich Public Utilities will begin a monthlong project Monday to replace several hundred feet of cast iron piping and four service lines on Main Street through Franklin Square to Bath Street.

The construction will take place between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and likely will cause traffic disruptions.

NPU has scheduled the work to take place ahead of the plan by the Norwich Public Works Department to redesign the Franklin Square intersection by installing a roundabout. That work is expected to begin in May and continue or much of the summer.

Coordinating the two projects will save money on paving costs.

"NPU and Norwich Public Works have a great working relationship, and we collaborate whenever possible," NPU General Manager Chris LaRose said in a news release announcing the gas line replacement. "Regular communication and coordination help save time and money for ratepayers and taxpayers every year.”

Traffic control will be provided by flaggers, and the public is asked to use precautions when traveling through this area during working hours.

NPU is replacing approximately 350 feet of older, 12-inch gas main with new, six-inch polyurethane gas mains and four gas service lines. NPU estimates that the existing gas main was installed in 1910 and has outperformed its typical life expectancy. This work is part of NPU’s annual gas main replacement program.